England Cricket Thread 2011

[TheTimVilla]

As it stands, and assuming Trott isn't fit but Tremlett will be, I'd bring the latter in for the former. It will put a bit more pressure on the top 6, but Bresnan & Broad are both in form with the bat. Also, it's less work for the bowlers. All of those players in Test form, and I think it's less of a gamble than picking, say, Bopara.

[noodles_]

I'd bring in Hildreth for Trott. He's an excellent player.

[spangley1812]

I'd bring in Hildreth for Trott. He's an excellent player.

James Taylor gets my vote............

[noodles_]

Yeah he's very good too. Still only 20/21 i think

[Colhint]

i think i would go with a second spinner. I think Monty might be the top wiket taker this season and Patel has taken plenty of wickets this season at Edgbaston . On second thoughts we are 2 up with 2 to play. We don't want to lose as we need to win this series by 2 games to get to be number one in the world. Play a batsman. Bit like bringing on an extra defender when you are one nil up with 15 mins to go

[KevinGage]

As it stands, and assuming Trott isn't fit but Tremlett will be, I'd bring the latter in for the former. It will put a bit more pressure on the top 6, but Bresnan & Broad are both in form with the bat. Also, it's less work for the bowlers. All of those players in Test form, and I think it's less of a gamble than picking, say, Bopara.

I tend to agree.

In a way, it would be a fudge. Not being able to decide between Bresnan and Tremlett so go for both.  But most of the lower order can bat -and bat well.  A new batsmen coming in on Test debut might be out first ball -or weigh in with low scores, making the endeavour futile.

You'd be relying on the top order to plug the gap -and it would most likely mean Bell coming in at no.3.  He has the makings of a decent no 3, but it's just never really clicked for him at that slot before -and he's had plenty of opportunities over the years. I'd be wary of going that route -certainly on a longterm basis.  Having a batsman that good coming in lower down the order has been a big plus for England over the last 12-18 months, why disrupt a winning formula too much.  But on a short term basis -and with England in a strong position in the series- maybe, as a one off.

I'd probably leave it till the last possible minute before deciding though, look at the state of the pitch, the weather forecast and so on.

[Villan For Life]

As it stands, and assuming Trott isn't fit but Tremlett will be, I'd bring the latter in for the former. It will put a bit more pressure on the top 6, but Bresnan & Broad are both in form with the bat. Also, it's less work for the bowlers. All of those players in Test form, and I think it's less of a gamble than picking, say, Bopara.

I tend to agree.

In a way, it would be a fudge. Not being able to decide between Bresnan and Tremlett so go for both.  But most of the lower order can bat -and bat well.  A new batsmen coming in on Test debut might be out first ball -or weigh in with low scores, making the endeavour futile.

You'd be relying on the top order to plug the gap -and it would most likely mean Bell coming in at no.3.  He has the makings of a decent no 3, but it's just never really clicked for him at that slot before -and he's had plenty of opportunities over the years. I'd be wary of going that route -certainly on a longterm basis.  Having a batsman that good coming in lower down the order has been a big plus for England over the last 12-18 months, why disrupt a winning formula too much.  But on a short term basis -and with England in a strong position in the series- maybe, as a one off.

I'd probably leave it till the last possible minute before deciding though, look at the state of the pitch, the weather forecast and so on.

The Ian Bell that has batted number 3 in the past is a different player to the Ian Bell that went in at 3 in the second innings at Trent Bridge, and potentially would make the position his own. He played one of his best ever test innings.

I agree to a point with the play Tremlett and Bresnan logic if Trott is unfit but feel that we know what our squad bowlers can do. Time to blood another batsman as we did with Trott in the final test of the 2009 Ashes series. I'd go for Taylor from Leicestershire who is captaining the England Lions against Sri Lanka A this week. I also think that Morgan's position could be under threat. He is an excellent batsman and I enjoy his unorthodox technique. He really struggles against the new ball and as a number 5/6 test batsman he should face a new ball relatively often. Short to medium term Morgan could be another Bopara so give Taylor a chance.

[taylorsworkrate]

Anyone seen the current score at the Rose Bowl?

Yorkshire 532 all out

Hampshire 533 for 2

It can't be just me who believes that counties should be docked points for producing pitches that kill any chance of interesting cricket.

[Dave Cooper please]

Anyone seen the current score at the Rose Bowl?

Yorkshire 532 all out

Hampshire 533 for 2

It can't be just me who believes that counties should be docked points for producing pitches that kill any chance of interesting cricket.

I said exactly this just after Warwickshire were docked the eight points earlier this season despite the fact that Worcs scored 375 in their first innings and Warwicks scored 461 in their second!

[Dante Lavelli]

I did mean overseas players being selected for england rather than in the county games but it's largely not relevant. The reason for my question was to try and identify what the England cricket team was doing right (or other nations were doing wrong?) in order to identify the key thing we'd need to repeat in the future or apply to other sports.

I think aside from having a pool of high quality players to choose from, its a lot to do with the high attention to detail.  From allowing Strauss to play for another county in order to find form, to Cook being the only player allowed to shine the ball as he sweats the least.

I knew that Cook was the designated shiner, but I didn't know why until today when I read it in the Torygraph:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/8677394/Englands-cricket-secret.html

An interesting article and answers some of Dante's questions too.

Good article that. Thanks.
When you consider that both this England team and woodwards rugby teams appear to have both achieved their success by having an almost anal attention to detail, it obviously must have it's benefits. When you look at mourinho's match scouting reports compiled by chelsea's new manager and there does appear to be some consistencies when looking at successful teams.

[PaulWinch again]

Ravi into the squad, he really needs to prove himself if he plays.

[spangley1812]

Ravi into the squad, he really needs to prove himself if he plays.

Dissapointed by that selection James Taylor is the form batsman in the country @ present moment
Bopara is the safe option and is in more for his bowling than anything else

[UK Redsox]

I'd have like to have seen Taylor or Carberry brought in ahead of Bopara.

Maybe selecting Bopara for the squad is a sign that they'll back the batting of Bresnan/Broad and play an extra bowler.

There would have been no point bring Taylor or someone else new into the squad and them not playing them. However, leaving Bopara out of the actual XI wouldn't be a problem.

[spangley1812]

I think the only change will be Bopara for Trott, with Bell to bat @ 3 and Bopara @ 6

[Villan For Life]

Zaheer only bowled 3 overs in the tour match at Northampton before going off. Must be a doubt for Edgbaston.